Road to Sudan

AT LAST, Egypt and its southern neighbour Sudan will be connected by a paved road. The 54 kilometre road, planned to run parallel to the east bank of the Nile, will connect Gustul, which lies east of Abu Simbel, in Egypt, to Wadi Halfa in Sudan. According to studies by Egyptian and Sudanese experts, the Gustul/Wadi Halfa road will facilitate bi-national trade, including Nile River commerce, and also allow for the cultivation of 1.6 million feddans (one feddan equals approximately one acre) that lie along the road.

Over the past few years, many voices from both sides of the border have called for this project. Recently, a higher committee for development, including members from both countries, gave it top priority.

"Due to the even terrain in this area, the project is expected to be completed in record time and at a low cost," said engineer Ahmed Fouad, head of the committee.

Once the road is completed, the passage to Sudan will only take some 40 minutes. Bus companies are expected to run an Abu Simbel to Wadi Halfa route at LE30 a ticket.

"This new road will give a boost to the economic and social life in many cities such as Aswan, Abu Simbel, Gustul and Wadi Halfa, which will most probably become centres for economic activity," Fouad said.

This project will be the first of several planned roads between the two countries. Studies for the coastal Suez/Port Sudan road on the Red Sea and the Toshki/Donkola road in the Western Desert are already underway.